The Autism News | English
Emir Koyuncu celebrates graduating from the Young Athletes program with his mother, Nergis Koyuncu.
By Scott Fishman | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
For a child with an autism spectrum disorder, simply bouncing a ball in place can be an arduous task.
More than 150 students from nine classes at the Baudhuin Preschool at Nova Southeastern University in Davie learned that and more thanks to a pilot program organized by the Special Olympics of Broward County under the national organization’s Young Athletes program. The youngsters recently celebrated with a graduation ceremony at NSU’s Mailman Segal Institute.
Volunteers led by Michelle Leonardo worked with children ages 3 to 5 for 25 minutes a week since January. They were taught various skills, such as kicking a ball through a hoop, while introducing color and counting concepts. The program essentially incorporates innovative play as an introduction into sports.
Parents got to see the skills their children developed firsthand during the ceremony, where each student went through an obstacle course. Stephaun Pierre, 5, couldn’t stop smiling as his mother Ketlene took pictures and cheered him on.
“Stephaun is an energetic boy, so I thought this would be a great way for him to channel his energy and gain more confidence in himself,” she said. “He is now more confident and outgoing. He is more verbal and expresses himself more.”
The children proudly held up their certificates and wore ribbons around their neck. Leonardo, whose daughter Kerri has special needs and also volunteers with the program, said it was a truly gratifying experience.
“It’s amazing to see their self-esteem improve when they realize they can do it then watching the parents’ faces watching them,” Leonardo said. “It’s a whole cycle.”
The program’s inclusion class had half with autism spectrum disorders and half who are typical 4-year-olds.
“They learn from one another,” said Nancy Lieberman, the preschool’s director.
Special Olympics is looking to expand the program, including a summer session at NSU open to children ages 2 to 7 with a developmental disability. The Young Athletes program targets those ages because Special Olympics eligibility to train and compete is age 8 and older.
For more information, visit http://www.specialolympicsbroward.org.
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